Eruzione Comments On Terrier-Boston College Matchup
December 3, 2003 | Men's Ice Hockey
Friday night's game between the 15th-ranked Terriers and second-ranked BC Eagles will be carried live on CSTV beginning at 8:00 p.m. Former Terrier great and captain of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Miracle On Ice hockey team Mike Eruzione will be the sideline report for the game. Here are Eruzione's thoughts of the game.
"When they were younger, a lot of these (opposing) players played with each other as teammates or played in the same leagues; some kids played in the same hometowns, and some even played on the same lines in youth hockey.
"Every year, you throw the records out. There's something about the rivalry, where the better team doesn't always win. That's what's great about the rivalry. You don't know who's going to win. It's the first stage of bragging rights. They are going to play each other three times, and then possibly in the Beanpot. You want to start off by getting the upper hand the first time you play. I think it means a lot more to B.U., because they're struggling. A win against a good team can mean a lot. B.U. needs a win against a quality opponent."
Comparing, Contrasting Styles
"BC has unbelievable skill; the Eaves brothers are highly talented. BU doesn't match up with BC in the skills department. If it becomes a shootout, BC will win. B.U. has to get solid goaltending and solid defense; not just from the defensemen. The entire team has to play great defense. B.U. cannot take penalties. BC's power play is clicking a lot better; B.U.'s is struggling. B.U. has to keep it to 3-2, 4-3 tops. If it's a 5-goal game, BC will win. B.U has had trouble scoring goals lately. I don't see them scoring five goals in this game, whereas BC is quite capable of doing that."
Key Players
"Matti Kaltiainen (BC goalie) -- He, to me, is not as strong as (B.U. goalie Sean) Fields. My opinion is that Fields is a better goaltender, but Fields happens to be struggling now. Frantisek Skladany (B.U. forward has to turn it up a notch. He's B.U.'s most skilled player. Ben Eaves is BC's most skilled player. In games like this, skill players have to step it up a notch. With a B.U. team struggling to score goals, this is where it's important for Frantisek to play well, to create scoring opportunities not only for himself, but for his linemates."
